The State of the Union

In his State of the Union address this week, President Obama said:

"We’ll bring down costs by changing the way our government pays for Medicare, because our medical bills shouldn’t be based on the number of tests ordered or days spent in the hospital – they should be based on the quality of care that our seniors receive. And I am open to additional reforms from both parties, so long as they don’t violate the guarantee of a secure retirement. Our government shouldn’t make promises we cannot keep – but we must keep the promises we’ve already made."

Any reforms to Medicare should absolutely ensure a high quality of care. The best way to do this, we think, is to empower all Americans –not just our seniors-- to have a voice in their care.

By making it easier for people to create advance care plans before they become patients, we’ll be enabling them to preserve their wishes even when they can’t communicate the kind of care they want.

This is why we created MyDirectives. It’s not about healthcare costs or letting someone make a decision for you. It’s simply about doing what’s right – preserving your voice and empowering you in your health care.

Taking a stand now and documenting your medical wishes and who you want to make decisions on your behalf when you can’t, not only helps to ensure that you get the quality of care you want, but aids your family and loved ones in already difficult times.